Are you planning to visit Boston in the winter months and wondering about the best things to do?

Boston comes alive during the winter with lots of outdoor and indoor activities and festivities, as well as lower hotel rates and fewer crowds at locally-owned North End restaurants where you can sample lobster rolls, savor authentic Italian favorites, and treat yourself to a mouth-watering cannoli.

To embrace Boston's authentic winter vibe, join the sports fans cheering the Bruins and Celtics at TD Garden, watch top Broadway shows and comedy clubs in the Downtown Theatre District, get tickets for Disney on Ice, catch a concert by your favorite artist, and shop in the chic Newbury Street boutiques and art galleries.

If you're visiting with kids, they'll love outdoor winter activities such as sledding and ice skating at Frog Pond on Boston Common and other pop-up rinks, as well as indoor adventures at the fun immersive WNDR Museum in Downtown Crossing, the unique Mapparium in the Fenway neighborhbood, and Harvard's wonderful Natural History Museum across the Charles River in Cambridge.

Speaking of Fenway, the winter month are the perfect time to tour Fenway Park.  (Bonus points if you visit when a layer sparkling snow coats the ground.) 

Other fun family activities include the popular ghost tours along the historic Freedom Trail and even a visit to one of our historic taverns where you can enjoy a tasty burger while possibly sitting in the same spot where Paul Revere and other Sons of Liberty plotted the American Revolution.

And don't overlook Boston's winter holiday celebrations:  festive Christmas markets, our famous "First Night" New Year's Eve fireworks and ice sculptures along the Harbor, an exciting Chinese New Year parade in the Chinatown neighborhood, and Valentines Day events.

In this article, I'm sharing my recommendations for the best Boston winter activities for you to enjoy.  In case you're wondering, you can reach all of them on foot, on the "T" (Boston's subway), or on the popular hop-on hop-off buses.

Top Photo:  Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood in the snow, (c) Boston Discovery Guide

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12 Fantastic Things to Do in Boston in the Winter

Shows & Performances in Boston's Theatre District

Bright lights on Washington Street in the heart of Boston's Theatre District
Bright lights on Washington Street in the heart of Boston's Theatre District

Boston's lively theater season reaches its peak during winter months, when the beautifully restored Theatre District sparkles with lights. 

The largest commercial theaters - the Boston Opera House, the Wang Theatre, the Shubert - attract headliner performers, Broadway Across America shows, and renowned Boston Ballet productions. 

Look for experimental theater at the Paramount, where ArtsEmerson produces award-winning productions, and Modern Theatre where Suffolk University runs highly-rated performance and film programs. 

Nearby, the Wilbur Theatre, the Charles Playhouse, and other comedy clubs host an eclectic mix of top local and nationally-renowned comedians. 

Check out these possibilities:

Theatre District shows and performances

Check out Boston's comedy clubs

Where to Stay in Boston's Theatre District

During winter months, staying just steps away from the theater where you're attending an evening performance can feel like a wonderful luxury.

Hotels closest to the Opera House, Paramount, Modern Theatre include:  the Godfrey, the Ritz-Carlton, and the Hyatt Regency

Hotels closest to the Shubert Theatre, Wang Theatre, the Wilbur, and the Charles Playhouse include:  the W Boston, the Revere, and Courtyard Boston

More about where to stay in Boston's Theatre District

Find More Boston Hotels

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Fun Ways to Tour Boston during the Winter

Beantown Trolley in Boston's historic Back Bay neighborhood
Beantown Trolley in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood

Many walking tours, bus tours, and even our popular Boston Duck Boat tours stop during the winter - usually on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend.  But no worries, you'll still find excellent tours that let you see the city while staying toasty warm:

Boston Hop On Hop Off Trolley Sightseeing Tour - This narrated trolley tour around the city shows you over 125 points of interest from the comfort of a fun retro trolley.  You can get off at as many of the stops as you want, and then get back on and ride some more - the perfect way to spend a day exploring Boston.

Historic Pub Crawl along the Freedom Trail - Stay warm and cosy while enjoying Boston's best brews in our oldest taverns, favorite hang-outs of Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and George Washington.

Ice Skating in Boston

Ice skating on Boston Common - popular winter activity
Ice skating on Boston's Frog Pond - Popular winter activity

If you're visiting Boston and staying in a hotel in the central part of the city, walk over to Boston Common for ice skating on Frog Pond. 

As you'll see when you get to the rink, this is a popular winter sport in Boston for all ages and all skill levels.  

No need to bring your own skates - just rent them at the rink.  

Don't know how to ice skate?  Also not a problem - for about $10, you can rent a device called a "Bobby Seal" (short for "Bobby the Skating Seal") to hold onto while you learn how to navigate on the ice.

You can also head to several other ice rinks in Boston and Cambridge - most also offer skate rentals and lessons. 

More about ice skating in Boston

Cruise Around Boston Harbor (While Staying Snug and Warm)

Boston Harbor Sightseeing and Special Event Cruises

 Popular Cruises

  • Northern Lights Sunset Cruise - Grab a refreshments from the bar and then relax as you watch the sun set on this sail around the Harbor, just in time to catch the USS Constitution fire its cannons as the sun dips down past the horizon
  • Brunch Cruise on the Northern Lights - Savor a delicious 3-course brunch on this relaxing sightseeing cruise around Boston Harbor
  • Boston Harbor Cruise on Northern Lights - Soak up Boston's unique sites and rich history on this comfortable sightseeing cruise around the Harbor - perfect friends and family experience!  Food and beverages available for purchase at the bar
  • Schooner Adirondack Oyster Sail - Relax on this late-afternoon sail as you enjoy local oysters shucked on board and  paired with mignonette, lemon, and hot sauce
  • City Lights Ghost Tour Cruise on Northern Lights - As you cruise through Boston Harbor as night falls and the skyline lights up, you'll hear tales of ghosts, strange sightings, and eerie situations as you cruise past historic sights for a memorable evening of Boston, whether you're a visitor or a local

Sailing Cruises on the Adirondack III & IV:

  • Adirondack Day Sail - Enjoy cool breezes and the afternoon sun on this relaxing sightseeing sail around Boston Harbor and the Inner Harbor Islands - Starts May 1
  • Adirondack Sunset Sail - Relax as the setting sun turns the sky brilliant colors - Starts May 1

Mothers Day Cruise

Fun Book Your July 4th Cruises Now (because they sell out far in advance!)

Labor Day Cruise

Cheer Boston's Iconic Winter Sports Teams (While Staying Warm)

Celtics playing a home game in TD Garden
Celtics playing a home game in TD Garden - Photo courtesy of Yzukerman via Creative Commons license

The air outside may be frigid, but inside TD Garden, the action on the ice and on the court heats up when the Boston Bruins and Celtics are in town for home games.  

You can take the T straight to North Station and not even have to step outside as you make your way to the Garden to watch them play. 

Fortunately for Boston sports fans, a game is scheduled almost every day throughout the winter. 

Bruins Schedule

Save when you use this Ticket Discount Code:

Enter DISCOVERY10 to save 10% on TicketLiquidator & TicketNetwork tickets.  Good for purchases made through 12/31/26.

Find All Bruins Games at TD Garden

Celtics Schedule 

Enter DISCOVERY10 to save 10% on TicketLiquidator & TicketNetwork tickets.  Good for purchases made through 12/31/26.

 

Find all Celtics tickets for TD Garden

The Garden also hosts the popular Disney on Ice Spectacular during the winter months:

See Disney on Ice Show Performance Schedule & Tickets

Where to Stay Near TD Garden

Coming to an event at the Garden? Consider spending the night or the weekend at one of these top nearby hotels: 

Check out more hotels near TD Garden

More to Do near TD Garden

Visit the Sports Museum in the Garden - lots of fun to see the history of Boston's many winning sports teams! 

The area around the Garden is also home to many of the city's top sports bars and Irish pubs, where you can enjoy a tasty meal and brew while watching the action on the big screens - another way to enjoy sports from a comfortable indoor spot on a chilly (or frigid) Boston winter day or evening. 

6 Perfect Boston Museums for a Winter Visit

The Winter Garden at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston
The Winter Garden at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston

With 60+ Boston museums appealing to all kinds of interests, you'll find plenty of interesting choices.  In fact, a trip to a museum can be the perfect solution to a bad-weather day at any time of the year, but ranks especially high among top Boston winter activities. 

But which Boston museums are best for winter? 

Two things are most important: 

  • Size - Should be big enough to occupy you for a few hours - no need to go back outside for awhile!
  • Logistics - Should be near a T station and/or a hotel to minimize the need to walk far

Here are several interesting large museums targeted for different interests, along with nearby T stations and hotels to keep your walk short:

If you have a Boston discount card, you will typically get free admission to some are all of these museums.

Enjoy Immersive Digital Art at WNDR Boston

The domed ceiling in the Wang Theatre, restored to its original splendor
Iris:  Images of visitors' eyes become the art

Escape Boston's winter weather by visiting WNDR, the city's premier digital art experience near Downtown Crossing where immersive, interactive exhibitions will warm up your day. 

After you soak up all the colors and sensory experiences at WNDR, continue exploring Boston by hopping on a trolley sightseeing tour to stay warm while seeing the city's top attractions.

Fun Winter Activities in Boston

\Best Boston winter activities\

Complete Guide to New England Ski Areas

Popular New England ski areas include Pat's Peak near Boston
Pat's Peak, popular New England ski area near Boston

New England turns into a skier's paradise from late October through early May. 

Drive just 2 or 3 hours from Boston, and you'll find plenty of places to enjoy this favorite winter activity.  Plus, many mountains and resorts also offer snowboarding, tubing, ice skating, and other winter sports.

Go for the day, or stay for a weekend or longer. 

Check out my complete guide to New England ski areas

Boston's Warm & Welcoming Irish Pubs & Historic Taverns

Historic bars and restaurants on Union Street near Faneuil Marketplace in Downtown Boston
Historic bars and restaurants on Union Street near Faneuil Marketplace in Downtown Boston

On a cold winter night, nothing beats the warm welcome, tasty brew, and excellent food you'll find at Boston's friendly Irish pubs and historic taverns, some of which have been around since the American Revolution. 

Visit on your own, or join a historic pub crawl along Boston's Freedom Trail.

Because local ordinances prevent Boston bars from offering Happy Hour cheap drinks, our local pubs instead attract patrons with Happy Hour food specials featuring their gastro pub cuisine at deep discount prices - usually from about 5:30pm - 7pm. 

Stop by to experience the real Boston - and perhaps enjoy some music and conversation.  It's a Boston tradition!

Winter is also when Boston hosts a couple of well-known wine festivals.  Whether you're a connoisseur or just enjoy wine, you won't want to miss these!

Sledding on Boston Common

Sledding down a small hill on Boston Common - popular winter activity
Sledding down a small hill on Boston Common

If your kids (or you) just want to have fun in the snow, nothing beats sledding. 

Boston Common's gentle slopes and slightly steeper hills offer the perfect spot whenever freshly-fallen snow blankets the city. 

Ask the concierge at your hotel about the closest place to buy a sled, or something sled-like.  Simple plastic sliders cost $5-$20, and will work fine.  

Boston Common's slopes offer plenty of tree-free spaces, so sledding conditions are reasonably safe even for younger kids.

Check out Boston's Food Scene at Downtown Boston Restaurants near the Theatre District

Manga mural and bar at trendy Shojo, Asian gastropub in Boston's Chinatown neighborhood
Manga mural and bar at trendy Shojo, Asian gastropub in Boston's Chinatown neighborhood

Although Boston has wonderful restaurants all over the city, winter is a great time to sample those right in the middle of the city, close to the lively Theatre District, shopping and entertainment at Faneuil Marketplace, and ice skating on Boston Common. 

In and near the Theatre District, you'll find an eclectic selection of top places to dine, casual bistros, and wonderful bakery/coffee bars. 

Somewhat overlapping the Theatre District is Boston's Chinatown - in fact, it's the third largest Chinatown in the U.S., and full of all sorts of Asian restaurants, bakeries, and tea houses.  You'll find everything from traditional dim sum palaces to Mongolian hot pot to innovative contemporary cuisine.  Find our recommendations for fun Chinatown restaurants

Running & Jogging in Boston in the Winter

Running along a cleared path on the Esplanade, with the Charles River and Cambridge in the background
Running along a cleared path on the Esplanade, with the Charles River and Cambridge in the background

Dedicated runners don't let a little snow stop them - but ice should, since you don't want your Boston visit to include a trip to a hospital emergency room. 

Avoid the sometimes icy slopes of Beacon Hill (if in any doubt as to why, just look at the photo at the top of the page), and head instead to the relatively flat Esplanade, Public Garden, or Back Bay neighborhood for your run. 

However - even in flat areas, do be very careful about black ice! 

Check out running in Boston in the summer for more suggestions.

Check Out Top Boston Events Each Month

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